Improvement in mowing-machines



H. FISHER.

Mowng Machine.

No. 19,083. Patented 1an. 12, 1858.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

l HENRY FISHER, OF CANTON, OHIO.V

IMPROVEMENT IN MOWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 19,083, dated January 1:2, 1858.y

- ment on the inner end oi' a finger-bar pivoted to the frame ofthe machine of a weighted 1ever, oy means of which the heft of the outer end'ot' the finger-bar is counterbalauced, thereb v removing the friction in a greataneasure of the dividing-shoe, which otherwise has a tendency to lcause the machine to turn on it as a pivot, thereby as well straining the horses as the machine in attempting to keep the latter in a right line, and by means ot' which, inasmuch as it is arranged in close proximity to the driverls seat, the outer end of the iingerhar can be easily raised, so as to surrnount stumps and stones or other inequalities ot' the ground, by simply depressing the end of the lever.

To enable others skilled in the art to make, construct, and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe it in detail.

In the accompanying drawings the main frame is represented as being secured to the axle of the drivingwheel in such manner as to be free to turn on it as on an axis, the drivingwheel t'or this purpose being mounted loosely on the axle, as on a journal. The frame consists of three'beams, B B B2, running in a parallel line with each other, and connected together at their rear end by a crossbar, C, on the outer end of which is formed the journal ot'a'subsidiary wheel, l), for the support of the rear end of the frame and for equalizing and centralizing the draft of the machine, inasmuch as it is arranged to run in a line parallel,

or nearly so, with the track of the driving-wheel A, but at a sufficient distanceon its outer side to counterba-lance the drag of the finger-bar E on its other side, the tongue being so arranged and secured to the frame of the machine as to assist in effecting this object--that is to say, arranged so that the draft shall fall more in a line on the side of the driving-wheel next the tingerbar than on the side next the subsidiary wheel,V thereby removing the necessity of extending the journal of that wheel farther than is consistent with compactness and the requisite'strength of the machine. The outside rail, B", extends back of the cross-bar C, curving round, thence ruiming in aline parallel with the latter as far as the inner rail, B, whence both (the outer rail and cross-bar) are deflected in such manner as to form bearings for the inner end ofthe ngenbar, they for this purpose having mortises formed on their lower extremity,through which thepivotboltsapass, by means of which they are secured to the lugs or ears b, formed on the upper side of the inner shoe, F, to which the inner end ot' the lingerbar is secured, the pivot-bolts a being keptin place by a screw-nut, c. `By means of this arrangement the lingenbar is free to turn on the pivot-bolts as on an axis.

On theinner endot' the finger-bar is formed or otherwise secured a weighted lever, G, projecting in aline diametrically opposite to that of the finger-bar, for the purpose of counterbalancing, or nearly so, the weight of the latter by throwing it on the pivot-bolts, thus diminishing the friction ot' the outer shoe on the ground, which would otherwise have a tendency to strain both the machine and horsesin the endeavor to keep the former in a straight line. Another advantage whichit possesses by reason of its arrangement in close proximity to the driver-s seat is that itenables the driver easily to raise the outer end ot' the iinger-bar for the purpose ot' surmouuting obst-acles which the machine may encounter in the field, and to lower it again when passed. The weight of the iinger-bar being counterbalanced, or nearly so, bythe weight of the lever reudcrs it a much easier task than it would other.- wise be.

To the side ot' the inner rail, B, is secured one end of a brace, d, whose other end forms in this instance one ot the pivot-bolts, thus acting as a brace to prevent rearward detiec vtion of the finger-bar.

To the outer end of the linger-bar is attached a loose track'clearer, H, for the purpose ot throwing the grass out of the track of the horses on the return swath. f

On the'outer and middle rails, B and B', and connecting-bar are secured the drivers seat I and driving-gear of the machine, motion be ing communicated from the latter to the knife by means of the pitman-rod K. The forward end of the outer and inner rails, B and B2, are bent upward and have a series of-holes formed in them, in the lower of which is secured the axle f of the driving-wheel A, leaving their upper ends to project above the latter, thus forming a lever, to which the fra-me M of the tongueLis secured, so that as the draft is applied to the machine its tendency is to raise the rear end of the frame by causing it to turn on the wheel as a fulcrum, thus throwing the Y weightrof ,the machine on the latter, thereby increasing its hold on the ground, preventing it from slipping, and increasing the certainty of its action in communicating motion to the cutting apparatus, which heretofore has been a great drawback to this class of machines, compelling builders to construct them of such a mass of metal as to render them at once cumbrous andunwieldy. Another great advantage in attaching the tongue to the frame in this manner is that it relieves in a great measure the friction of the inner shoe, F,ou the ground,

\thus rendering the machine much easier ot" 

